Mitchell continues to be sidelined by an undisclosed injury, working off to the side with trainers on Tuesday.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell’s continued absence from practice is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.
Mitchell did not practice once again on Tuesday, marking his fifth consecutive missed practice as he deals with an undisclosed injury. The speedster was once again working off to the side with a trainer, leaving his status for the start of the regular season increasingly uncertain.
This extended absence is notable because Mitchell was expected to play an important role in Los Angeles’ offense this season.
The Bolts brought Mitchell in with the expectation that his explosive skill set could give their offense another dimension. His speed has always made him a dangerous ball carrier, but offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has indicated that the Chargers see considerably more potential in his game.
Earlier last month, McDaniel praised Mitchell’s ability to create matchup problems for opposing defenses.
"He's a matchup issue for every defense," McDaniel said. "I think he has a lot of pass-game value that he hasn't been able to really represent in his career, but it's showing so far in camp."
That makes Mitchell’s current absence even more frustrating.
The Chargers weren't simply planning to use Mitchell as a traditional backup running back. His ability to threaten defenses with his speed while also contributing as a receiver was part of what made him such an intriguing piece of the backfield.
Rookie Omarion Hampton will have to shoulder a heavy workload if Mitchell does have to miss time to start the season, while Kimani Vidal remains another option in the backfield. The Chargers also have UDFA Greg Desrosiers Jr. on the practice squad for needed insurance.
But Mitchell brings a different element because of his ability to turn a routine touch into a big play. That explosiveness is difficult to replace.
The bigger concern now is whether Mitchell's injury could ultimately lead to an injured reserve stint. There is no indication that the Chargers have made that decision, or even that they've talked about it in the first place. Furthermore, the team has yet to disclose the specifics of his injury. Him working off to the side with a trainer also leaves open the possibility that he is simply being brought along cautiously.
Still, the longer Mitchell remains sidelined, the more relevant the IR conversation becomes.
If the Chargers determine that Mitchell will not be ready for the beginning of the season, placing him on injured reserve could allow the team to use his roster spot elsewhere while he recovers. However, doing so would also mean losing him for at least the first four games of the season.
